Detoxification is a biochemical process undertaken by the liver as part of its normal functioning. Your liver (a truly magnificent piece of human machinery), silently engages in chemical detoxification processes everyday to keep your body healthy and reduce the effects of air pollution, water pollution, household chemicals, plastics, recreational and non-recreational drugs and alcohol.

The Liver Detoxification Process

Phase 1 of liver detoxification involves breaking down metabolites so that they can be processed. Toxins are broken down by oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis which transforms them into a water soluble form (for excretion by the kidneys) or a form that needs further metabolism by Phase 2 of liver detoxification.

Constituents that mediate Phase 1 detoxification include St Mary’s thistle, turmeric, resveratrol and green tea. Phase 1 detoxification must be followed by Phase 2 detoxification to avoid the build up of toxic metabolites in the body.

Phase 2 detoxification is the conjugation phase of liver detoxification. In this phase, many pathways work to bind substances so that they can be excreted. Phase 2 liver detoxification can be supported by St Mary’s thistle, turmeric, green tea, schisandra, resveratrol, rosemary, amino acids, B5, B6, B12 and folate.

Phase 3 detoxification involves the removal of toxins and excretion via the gut (poo), liver (bile) and kidneys (urine). This process can be supported with high water intake, intake of alkalising greens such as barley, wheat grass or spirulina.

How to Detox

There are a lot of fad diets and supplements available as ‘detox’ equals big business. All liver detoxification protocols were not created equal!

our wellness consultants will be able to prescribe supplements or a program for you that assist the body’s own natural detoxification processes and correct any nutritional or biochemical imbalances that might impede good liver function. And remember, you don’t have to wait until something’s wrong to start asking questions.

The bad news is that according to recent research, our ability to concentrate is going to drop anyway. So if you want to continue to focus on the tasks at hand, it’s a good idea to start making lifestyle changes now -  and a regular massage is a great place to start.

Why We Can’t Concentrate

The most common reasons for poor concentration include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Recreational drug use (particularly cannabis or cocaine)
• ADHD
• Chronic fatigue
• Sleep apnoea
• Chronic fungal infections (like candida albicans)
• Hormonal imbalances, particularly low thyroid – visit your doctor if you are feeling tired all the time, sleeping for long periods without being rested, frequently feel cold and you’ve noticed a steady weight gain despite efforts to control your diet
• Anaemia – this develops for many reasons, including blood loss, iron or Vitamin B12 deficiencies. It results in low oxygen supply to the brain, feeling short of breath and low energy levels in general
• Alzheimers and/or Dementia
• Kidney failure
• Cirrhosis
• Brain injury and some central nervous system disorders
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Melanoma

What Happens as We Get Older?

Researchers connected to the University of Toronto compared brain function and concentration in groups of young, middle-aged and older adults. Their studies revealed significant differences in brain activity during tasks that required concentration.

Younger adults (those less than 40 years old) were able to block out non-task related activities when concentrating. They were less likely to be distracted by environmental changes, screaming children or flashbacks relating to the last party they went to.

The middle-aged group (those between 40-60 years) were starting to waver – and were unable to tune out their surroundings to such an extent.

Those aged 65+ had a more pronounced inability to ignore the distractions. To be able to concentrate effectively as you get older, researchers suggested carrying out tasks that require concentration within a calm, quiet environment: turn off the phone, turn down the music and do the task when you are properly rested.

Why Massage for Poor Concentration

Over 90% of visits to doctors are linked to stress-related disorders – and anxiety, depression, insomnia and fatigue are the most likely causes of poor concentration. Massage has an excellent track record in treating all the symptoms of stress. When it comes to poor concentration, massage can help in the following ways:

• Reducing muscle tension – a therapeutic massage is one of the best ways of reminding your body that it is time to relax. Easing muscle tension will help to reduce some of the other symptoms of stress and can leave you feeling both energised and more mentally agile afterwards.
• Relieving pain – pain can be a big distraction. Living with chronic pain will disrupt your sleep, leaving you feeling lethargic and wooly-headed. Pain-relieving medication may help in some circumstances, but it is not often recommended for regular use. Massage that focuses on pain relief can make a big difference to your ability to concentrate. Try Sports Massage or Remedial Massage if you are in chronic pain.
• Improving blood circulation –one of the side effects of reducing muscle tension during massage is that the formerly tight muscles stop contracting on the underlying blood vessels. As blood flow improves to both peripheral areas and to the brain and central nervous system, so you can experience pain relief (especially if you are prone to muscle tension headaches or migraines) plus better oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain; with these, concentration will improve.
• Reducing your vulnerability to infections – massage helps to improve lymph flow and supports the functioning of the lymphatic system (your body’s immune system). Regular massage helps to keep you in better condition, so that you can fight off the opportunistic infections that can interfere with both your concentration and your daily life.
• Improving sleep – a vast proportion of the research carried out on the effects of massage focus on the way it can help to improve sleep. The combination of reduced muscle tension, relaxation, pain relief and improved circulation all help to reduce fatigue and encourage you to sleep. Restful, good quality sleep (ideally eight hours of it) are necessary for an adult to function properly.
• Releasing endorphins – one of the most positive effects of massage is that it encourages the release of endorphins like dopamine and serotonin, as well as improving their circulation around the body. The erratic or limited supply of both these substances are often associated with depression and anxiety. Improving the flow of these endorphins enhances the feel good factor of a massage and can reduce the other symptoms of depression and anxiety accordingly.

click here to find  out about our massage services or click here to make and appointment.

Even animals know this; you only have to watch your pussycat with her kittens to see that she follows her instincts, and lavishes loving touch onto her young.

But here in the technologically advanced, 21st century, humans are having to do research to find out whether it’s actually a good idea to give babies some regular touch.

How Do We Know Baby Massage is Good?

Luckily, lots of research has been done in the past few years showing not only that it’s a good idea to massage your baby, but that it’s actually crucial. And not just for the baby; it’s really important for the mother’s wellbeing as well.  It’s also important for the father, and his relationship with his baby.

There are studies which show that regular massage helps babies to grow properly:  gaining weight, interacting with those around them and developing their mental and physical capabilities. Our bodies are complex, and they rely on touch and movement to develop and properly use the nervous system.  And that in turn directs the brain to do its’ job of orchestrating our lives from beginning to end. Baby touch sets it all in motion.

What AreThe Results Of Massage

• Psychological problems averted: An animal study done with baby monkeys at a time when ethics weren’t too important, showed that babies deprived of mother touch, even though they could still hear and see their mothers, failed to thrive, and had severe psychological issues.
• Violence reduction: Studies have shown that high levels of physical affection in babies corresponds to low rates of adult physical violence.
• Pain reduction: It’s been found that when a baby has massage before a procedure in hospital, there is a decreased response to painful stimuli.  This means that its’ tiny nervous system is calmed and there are fewer stress hormones rushing around the little body. So massage will increase calm.
• Improved weight-gain in premature babies: Babies given short periods of massage daily gained up to 45% more weight than those not massaged.  It helps babies to thrive.
• Colic: Studies have shown that colic and its attendant crying are much less when the baby gets regular massage.  Good for baby; good for family.
• Father bonding: When Dad gives baby a short daily massage, you can expect to see a better relationship between them.  The baby relates better to the father, and the father is much more relaxed and active with the baby.
• Less post-natal depression: Babies of depressed mothers often have more difficulties than other babies. These babies response wonderfully to massage, but something equally important happens – the mother’s depression is greatly reduced.
• Fewer infections: Babies that are massaged regularly get fewer infections and have less problem with conditions such as allergy and asthma due to its enhancement of the immune system.

The many compelling studies make it quite clear babies should be getting as much skin contact as possible, particularly in the first vital months after birth.  Without it, there can be serious long-term effects on mental development and physical health.
The positive effects on the mother should not be under-estimated either; since the baby is calmer and sleeps better, there is decreased depression, and much less stress and fatigue.

Baby massage is a very simple and lovely thing to give to your baby, and it doesn’t need complex techniques.  At the least, simply give your baby as much loving touch as you can. If you don’t feel confident massaging your baby, baby massage instructors run classes. You’ll learn with your own baby in a secure environment among others who have similar concerns to yours. Contact us for a Baby massage . Make an appointment today.

What is a Fad Diet?

A fad diet is generally a diet which promises very rapid weight loss.  These fad diets are not backed by rigorous scientific research and may be detrimental to your health.  Many fad diets severely restrict your total energy intake and often restrict one or more food groups.  Although it is true that you need to burn more energy than you consume to lose weight, you can take this to the extreme.

A fad diet will sometimes cut out all carbohydrates in order to make you lose weight.  This happens as when you consume carbohydrates these are stored, along with water in your muscles and liver.  When you limit your carbohydrate intake your body burns through what carbs you have stored (along with the extra water) and this results in weight loss on the scales.  However if you go back to eating complex carbs again you will start to store fat back in the muscles and liver, along with water and your weight will go right back up.  A fad diet that restricts food groups can limit your nutrient intake, and over time could possibly result in deficiencies.  Fad diets that restrict what you can eat can also lead you into a yo-yo dieting cycle.

How to Check for a Fad Diet

The best way to look for a fad diet is to check if it sounds too good to be true.  Healthy weight loss is considered to be around 1-2kg a week.  If a diet promises more than this it is likely to be fad diet.  If the diet removes or restricts specific food groups you should also be wary.

Do They Work?

In a simple sense, NO.  You may initially lose weight but it is often not fat, and it often rebounds back on once you start to eat normally again.  They are also very socially restricting and can really take the enjoyment out of eating.

How to Avoid a Fad Diet

You may want to lose weight quickly but you are best to start eating healthier and doing more exercise, which results in more sustainable weight loss.  If you need help improving your diet contact us for a free weight loss consultation.